Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has warned peddlers of fake news that his administration would not hesitate to pursue a legal action against blackmail and defamation.
Adeleke gave the warning while denying rumours that his elder sister, Modupe Adeleke Sanni, was involved in the purchase of official vehicles for caretaker chairmen in the state’s local government councils.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed and obtained by Bellnews on sunday, Adeleke described the rumour as an attempted blackmail aimed at dragging his sister into what she had no knowledge of.
The governor said due process was involved in purchasing the vehicles for the LG caretaker chairmen.
“Let it be noted that the process involved in the purchase of the official vehicles for the local government Chairmen has nothing to do with Yeyeluwa.
“Due process was followed through Association Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), their umbrella body, in purchasing those vehicles. Yeyeluwa Adeleke-Sanni was not in any way involved in the entire process,” the statement said.
The Osun governor while acknowledging that citizens have the right to seek information through the Freedom of Information Act, reminded fake news peddlers of the existence of cyber crime laws.
“We call the attention of the public to the existence of the Freedom of Information Act, which allows the citizens to seek information through a designated process.
“Peddlers of fake news are also reminded of the existence of cyber crime laws, which prohibit fabrication and spreading of fake news, among others.
“Going forward, any defamatory or blackmailing attempt from any quarters will be treated with the right and deserving legal actions.
“Relevant state law officers have been directed by Mr Governor to bring to book those committing fake news and associated cyber crimes,” the statement added.